“I Hope They Know...The Essential Handbook on Alzheimer's Care”,

ISBN #978-1-60264-177-8, 238 pages, Virtualbookworm Publishing (2008); $24.95 (softcover)

Startling numbers of individuals stand to gain from the prevention or postponement of Alzheimer’s disease – yet for the 26 million worldwide,  together with those newly diagnosed every 72 seconds, help and hope can be found in a new book written by a physician caring for patients and families for over a decade.

Seven contributing authors, five of whom had a direct family experience with and death from Alzheimer’s, join with Dr. Zoë A. Lewis in presenting quality of life solutions.

This book focuses on the questions and solutions that arise as the disease progresses from early diagnosis to the advanced end stage. Readers will learn what is currently known about making an early diagnosis, future care needs, support groups, spirituality, medications, and supplements, the newest non-pharmacological techniques of art and music therapy, therapeutic touch, and neuroarchitecture and environmental manipulation.   What distinguishes this book from others in the field is the inclusion of newer concept of art therapy exemplified by patients’ art work interpreted by a master art therapist, Elizabeth Cockey of Baltimore, Md.  More sensitive topics including changes in sexuality, risky driving behavior, financial vulnerability, legal issues, protection of personhood, medical ethics, and advanced directives, and are covered in the sixty-two chapters.

The extensive use of photographs and poetry inspire a feeling of hope and spirituality uncommon for books on the subject of care giving.

The author, Zoë A Lewis, MD, FACP, DAAHPM, is an elected fellow to the American College of Physicians, a Diplomat of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, and a former Harvard Medical School Clinical Instructor of Medicine. Her website zoealewis.com is dedicated to “hope through knowledge,” encouraging the dissemination of information to practitioners and families of those with a dementing illness.

Media Contact:
Zoë A Lewis, MD
email: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
phone: 305-439-7900
web: www.zoealewis.com  

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